'There's a sense of shock in the community': Tributes paid to Cork man who died in collision in Kinsale 

An Innishannon man who died in a road traffic collision at the weekend has been remembered as “a very knowledgeable and very friendly guy”.

Finbarr Coleman (40) tragically lost his life in the single-vehicle collision en route home from a road bowling competition in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Speaking to The Echo, Independent councillor for the Bandon-Kinsale municipal district Alan Coleman said that the man was very well-known and very well-liked in the community and across the south east and south west region.

“He was very well-liked in the community, known far and near. 

"He had a huge interest in sport and in his work as well in construction. He worked in the agricultural building side of things.

“He had a really big circle of friends and the four brothers are very close so they’re a very close-knit family. They’re devastated.

“He followed the road bowling a lot. He was also a member of Valley Rovers GAA and followed all the matches and was at the All Ireland last week and was planning to go to this week’s All Ireland as well.

“He was very knowledgeable and a very friendly guy to meet and very good company. 

"He will be very sadly missed by a wide circle beyond his family and there’s no doubt that there’s a sense of shock in the community.” 

Independent councillor John Collins described Mr Coleman’s death as “a very sad occasion” and said he will be sadly missed by the whole community.

“This is a very sad occasion for all involved. Finbarr was a very well-liked young man from a lovely family. He will be sadly missed,” he said.

"Everybody's sympathy goes to Finbarr's family and his friends that were with him on the night."

Fine Gael councillor Marie O’Sullivan said: “I would like to pass on my deepest sympathies to his brothers, the extended Coleman family and his large circle of friends. Like any rural community when tragedy hits one of our own it has a ripple effect throughout.

“Finbarr and his family are well-liked and respected in the area so I know that everyone will be with them in the tough and sad days ahead to help them deal with the tragic loss of their brother Finbarr and show their support to the family.”

Investigating gardaí are continuing to appeal for any witnesses to the collision to come forward.

They said that a man in his 30s, who was arrested following the collision, has been released without charge and a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána said: “Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were traveling in the Ballynamona area between 1:15am and 1:45am are asked to make it available to gardaí.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact the incident room at Bandon Garda Station on 023 885 2200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station."

“Investigations are ongoing.”